Date:08/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2008/08/08/stories/2008080850590100.htm

Back Friday Review Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram

Battle of the boats

Racing ahead: A view of the action.

The 56th Nehru Trophy Boat Race, widely regarded as India’s water Olympiad, will be telecast live and exclusive on Amrita T.V, on August 9 from 2 p.m. onwards.

Seven state-of-the-art cameras backed by a 55-member crew will capture the frenzied action across the 1,400-metre-long ‘race’ track.

More than 50 boats of varying lengths and speed will be pitted against each other in the race and will be accompanied by inspirational chants of the ‘Vanchippattu,’ the rhythmic beat of the drums and the roar of the crowd.

Sixteen ‘Chundans’ – the sleek 100-metre-long snake boats, four ‘Churulans,’ 16 ‘Veppu Vallams’ with 11 in the A grade and five in B grade and a total of 17 Iruttukuthies are lined up for the race.

More than a hundred thousand spectators from all around the world are expected to line up on the palm fringed shores of the Punnamada Lake to watch the battle of the boats.

An exclusive ‘Royal Pavilion’ has been set up near the venue of the regatta, with each of the 10 exclusive seats costing Rs. one lakh , already being snapped up by spectators .

The live telecast will be interspersed with interesting facts about past boat races and special graphics to display the results of the race from every lane.